Stags deliver medals at EA Relay Championships

It was an exciting sunny afternoon at the Alexander Stadium as the England Relay Championships produced some outstanding races. This was the second year of the event which was introduced by Birchfield and England Athletics in 2024. This success of last year was eveident by the increase in the number of teams taking part, from across England, resulting in a some high quality races.

Birchfield had qualified teams across the board and this was the first time at a major championships for a number of our young athletes and it was a great experience for them. Medals were shared across a large number of clubs with the Stags taking podium places in four of the finals.

The highlight of the day was the U20 mixed 4 x 400m. Vincent Chikukwa led the team off and brought the baton home in first place, handing off the Keira Nee for the second leg. A strong run from Keira against men and women brought the team home in second place. Third to go was Mayo Alabi who made up a large gap to give Ava Freeman a 40m lead going into the final leg against mostly men. It was an outstanding run by Ava who, when closed down by the Blackheath and Bromley runner, still had the energy and spirit to put in one more effort to take the gold medal by centimetres. The time of 3.33.2 was not only a club record but has only been beaten by GB juniors this year.

The U20s had a good day all round with the 4 x 100m team winning a silver medal. David Iroegbunan, Mayo Alabi ( his second medal at the champs), Tom Brookes and George Warburton set a club record 41.26, a time which was the 4th fastest by a club team of all time.

The senior men were not to be outdone and they also won a silver men in the 4 x 400m. Jake Watson, Peter shadn, Tobie Watson and Efe Okoro were out to defend the title they won last year however were just pipped by City of Sheffield this time. Their time of 3.10.92 was excellent and the fastest time run by the senior men this season.

Our final medal came from the U15 girls 4 x 300m team who took the bronze medal. Eiza Kerr, Tiana’ll Younis, Evyn Cope and Trinity Conway made up the successful team and also set a personal best for the season.

The was a great result from the Stags with so many high quality teams competing and it was a very exciting day and it will be even bigger next year.